Friday, March 24, 2017

ODE ON SILENCE




                                                                                             
















  
                                   
                   


   


                                             



           1 )                Silence, so-called sweet spring of joy

                                 Turns often, alas! A bitter cup of pain

                                 When Beauty slights and mocks with disdain

                                 The fawning heart with youthful pride;

                                 Silence erects an insurmountable chasm wide.



           2)                   Silence kills a lonely, languishing heart

                                  More grievous than a poisoned dart ;

                                  Unseen, eating into vitals, inch by inch

                                  Cut off for ever from one’s own dear mate

                                  Withering to roots, an unimaginable state.



           3)                  Hearts blocked by stubborn barriers of doubts

                                  Reel under parched feelings of drought

                                  Silence creeps in with Satanic fang

                                  Evil thoughts crowd upon, a gang

                                  To bombard Love and cast a Promethean suffering spell.


          4)                   A cutting edge Silence suddenly reveals

                                 When one’s own dear depart for realms

                                 Unknown, unseen, unheard, too far to feel

                                 For earthly senses to perceive

                                 Irreparable loss for us, in vain to grieve.



       5)                     The widening gap of time, of course

                                 Silences one when youth boasts of their glorious prime ;

                                 An alien uprooted from one’s own space and time

                                 Rhymes not well with changing modern trends

                                 To Time’s unconquerable will, old age bends.



     6)                       Silence looms large in dreadful nights

                                When one bemoans one’s sinful fate

                                None to console, a dismal sullen state

                                Sleepless hours like dire furies seem

                                Like whipping devils, past acts roar within and scream.



    7)                        Misunderstandings with one’s own friends dear

                                Erect a hellish growing hurdle steep

                                What loud eloquence dares to convince and clear

                                The pall of doubt and perverse mistrust?

                                Silence smolders one's bosom slowly to dust.



   8)                        Silence, a tricky language of mysterious fate

                               Our questions stay unanswered with an uncertain swing 

                               Man’s keen intellect can’t unfold every mysterious thing;

                               Unseen forces play around --- beyond his grip;

                               His rocketing frolic, a mere sophisticated slip.

 

   9)                        Silence shadows even golden empires

                               Leaving their glories ruined entire ;

                               Wrecked and mangled by timeless fate

                               Mute witnesses, those memorials great

                               No use of egoistic talk can conquer silent state.


 10)                      Silence of godly heights immense

                              Seems not to relent upon our woes

                              Society shaken by violent throes

                              Of destructive vandalistic acts;

                              Silence reigns grim –a final concluding fact.



                              ***********************************************

                                    

                         

       Note:  1) The ode is a Greek poetic form with a complicated rhyme scheme and complex structure written in a lofty style. In regular ode the stanzas have equal number of lines with a fixed rhyme pattern. In an irregular ode, the stanzas have unequal number of lines and the rhyme pattern is also irregular. In this ode I have followed equal number of lines but with variation in rhyme scheme like abbcc,aabbc,and abacc . The last line is longer in length having 11 or 12 syllables.


              2)  Silence is the language of gods; silence is the language of a spiritual seeker; silence leads us to explore our inner self. 

But silence on worldly level also has many shades of meaning and feeling.The silence of a rejected lover, the silence of a deserted person from one’s own people, the silence of a jealous, scheming person filled with doubts, the silence of a guilty sinner, the silence of a person deceived by his untrustworthy friends, the silence of a person whose near and dear left this world, the silence of a person with uncertain future,the silence of an old man who is out of tune with modern trends and the silence that rules after the glorious kingdoms have disappeared from this earth etc. I have described some of these aspects in my poem. The whole creation has emerged from silence and ultimately dissolves in silence. Even the holy sound “OM” has evolved from silence.In brief silence is more eloquent and more mysterious than most incomprehensible discourses.


 Ref : Promethean Suffering = A demi-god who stole fire from Mt. Olympus and gave it to men for the benefit of mankind. He was chained to a mountain cliff and made to suffer for many, many years as he rebelled against Zeus, the Lord of all Greek Gods.

       Furies = Three female spirits with snaky hair who punish doers of heinous crimes.

       Satanic fang = refers to the deceitful act of Satan who tempted Eve in the guise of a serpent.

       A sophisticated slip = Mistakes done by physicists who explore galaxies.Even their rockets cannot reach the numberless galaxies of this ever expanding universe and their knowledge is not infallible.

          **********************************************


25th March, 2017                                                             Somaseshu Gutala
                             
   
                                    
                         
                                   

                                     




                            


                                 

                                 
                                 
                             



                                     









                             





                                 



                                  

                                 


Friday, March 17, 2017

E-World







                         
              

1)        We live like distant impalpable shades
            Beyond warm touch like souls in Hades
            Our spoken skills we gradually lost
            To speak from heart, a thing of past.

2)        We live in virtual world of magic tools
            Tilting with shadows like civilized fools ;
            Our lives controlled by T.Vs, Pads and Mobiles
            We need not move but click with style.

3)         To make up our failing power of speech
             Queer signs and symbols within our reach;
             Our technical jargon in jig jag ways
             We pride ourselves in innovative maze.

4)         Due praise to wonders of magic veil
             We can’t but commend with swelling zeal;
             To see, to hear, to react in various ways
             Crossing the bounds of time and space.

5)         Saving our time, our toil and hard-earned pounds
             Is this not the greatest marvel found?
             With lightning speed like Ariel in legends
             We can communicate with all our friends.

6)         And yet we lack the throbbing human touch
             We let ourselves into this tempting lurch;    
             We live like floating shadows on the screen    
             Bereft of human touch like ghosts dim seen.

7)         Like dreamy figures we flit, we chat and go
             Throwing some symbols with ostentatious show;
             Are we computerized within our hearts?
             Sending signals like creatures from unknown chart.

8)         This E-world made us live like showy dolls
             Can networking links catch our bosom’s calls?
             Our world, a cute, smart and Circean device
          No place for touch, warm hugs and lively human ties.


                  **********************************



Ref : Hades = Abode of the dead in Greek mythology

         Impalpable= unable to be felt by touch

        Ariel    = a merry spirit in Shakespeare's play "The            Tempest" known for his swiftness and miracles. 

        Ostentatious  =  showy display

        Circean = pertaining to Circe, a mythological                       enchantress who tempts people with her music and             changed them into animals. Here it means very                   tempting and dangerously attractive.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  
18th February, 2017               Somaseshu Gutala
               
  


Saturday, March 11, 2017

HYMN TO DATTATREYA






















                                           


                                                                           I
                                                                                                    
                                        Victory to Thee : Son of Atri !
                                        Victory to Thee, Son of Anasuya !
                                        Holiest offspring of holy damsel
                                        Whose arms rocked the cradles
                                        Of the Almighty Trinity
                                        Changed into her tiny tots.

                                                                 II

                                       Core of Vishnu, Rudra and Brahma !
                                       Three-crowned Lord of this universe !
                                       Sitting serene under the holy  shade
                                       Of Audumbar in dark forest glades
                                       Gazing sun-like with a radiant form
                                       Seeing Thyself, Brahman, in all
                                       Hearing “OM”, the mystic call
                                       Breaking  Maya’s adamant wall .

                                                                   III

                                        Master of all Masters  and Hermits great !
                                        Yogi of all bare-limbed monks of Mountains !
                                        All Vedas like hounds of heaven follow Thee :
                                        The divine cow stands humble behind Thee :
                                        Wisdom bowed before Thy mystic penance
                                        Forests becalmed by Thy holy presence ;
                                        Nature’s secrets and spiritual laws
                                        Themselves did reveal to Thy sun-bright eyes :
                                         Deep Truths beyond philosophic lore
                                         Beyond our sense-bound, selfish mortal shore.

                                                                      IV

                                        Sporting Thyself in various forms and guise
                                        You test our minds too fickle to surmise :
                                        May Thou shower Thy boundless grace
                                        Stay before our tottering mental gaze
                                        Set us free from this mighty Maya’s maze :
                                        Lord of Yogis! Show Thy all merciful gracious form !
                                        Holding trident, conch and discus in Thy six arms
                                        Along with drum, vessel and rosary sparkling white
                                       To kill our ignorance with Thy presence bright;
                                        Decked with deer-skin, crystal beads and jasmine wreaths
                                        Scatter rays of wisdom, Thou, Conqueror of Death! 
                                        From Thy three-paired lustrous lotus-eyes ;
                                     

                                                                               V     

                                       Bless us with a glimpse of Thy holiest form !
                                      That dissolves sins of ten thousand births :
                                       Lifting us from this eternal wheel of  illusion :
                                       All is one, before Thy divine stature that rules the world
                                       Untouched like heavenly rays of  many million suns .

                   
                                                          ********************************

  Note :                                                     

           Lord Dattatreya is a very powerful and unique manifestation of Holy trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) all merged together in one form. Pleased with the chastity and virtues of Anasuya and her husband Atri Maharshi, the holy trinity granted their wish and became their son. Anasuya withstood the test of the three gods and by her power transformed them into children. Later at the request of the wives of Holy trinity she brought them back to their original forms. The Word "Datta" means "TO give" that is Lord givesor grants boons to those who surrender and pray to him with sincere devotion and faith.

 Lord Dattatreya is Para Brahman who is revered as the Lord of all yogas and wisdom. He is shown with three heads (implying Holy Trinity) with six hands wielding Trident (to kill ego), drum (to awaken souls from ignorance), Conch (symbol of sacred sound OM), discus (Flux in universe), Kamandala (water vessel implying pure wisdom) and rosary (implying his counting of devotees who will be liberated). The four dogs represent the four Vedas which follow the Lord, the ultimate Truth. The holy cow is Kamdhenu, which grants all material and spiritual wishes of the devotees. The Audumbara (sacred fig ) tree is the celestial wish-fulfilling tree under whose shade Lord Dattatreya always dwells.

 Lord dattatreya is seen doing penance on Sahyadri Mountains and on Gandhamadana Mountains. He is Adi Yogi or the first teacher of spiritual enlightenment and is called Teacher of all spiritual preceptors or Gurus.His Avatara remains eternal throughout all yugas. He descended into this world at different times as holy teachers or sages to uplift mankind and Dharma whenever necessary. He is regarded as a boundless ocean of mercy, spiritual wisdom and power. Just by chanting his name with complete surrender will help devotees receive His grace. Especially in this sin-ridden Kali Yuga the name of Dattatreya will help mankind to gain mastery over their desires and receive wisdom.
  
      ****************    OM Dattatreyaya Namaha **********************


12th February, 2017                                                      Somaseshu Gutala
      

 
                         
                                                   

Sunday, February 26, 2017

HYMN TO SEVEN HILLS LORD



Lord Venkateshswara (Srinivasa)
   

         


















                             

                     My heart soon flies to Thee, oh God !

                                When I behold your face, sacred seven hills Lord !

                                You are the center of cosmic ocean

                                Without you, there is no creation;

                                High upon these lofty hills you stay

                                As if to test our faith amidst life’s fray ;

                                We trust you as our guide, our way ;

                                 With you, we have no fear, doubt and dismay ;





     











                             Bless us with your moon-cool beneficent looks

                              We can’t know you, Lord beyond three holy books ;

                              Bless us, lord seated on holy serpent-bed ;

                              Bless us, Lord of sacred Garuda red :

                              Bless us Lord of Lakshmi, with Thy peace-giving smile 

                          May we ever think of you in our life’s journey, mile after mile .



  Note :            1)   Three holy books  = Three Vedas

                          2)    Serpent-bed      =  Adi Sesha, the serpent symbolizing creation.

                          3)    Garuda red       = The mount of Vishnu symbolizing spiritual 
                                                                      Knowledge and devotion.              

                               ======================================

      27th February, 2017                                                  Somaseshu Gutala 
                                 

   

Sunday, February 19, 2017

HYMN TO DAKSHINA MURTY

                                     






                     

                                                               (  I  )
           

                                               Pranams to Thee       
                                               Lord of the South !
                                               Blessed fount of wisdom
                                               Seated on the throne
                                               Of bliss and truth !
                                               With matted locks of brown
                                               With silver crescent crown
                                               With holy Ganges fair
                                               Arising out of Thy hair ;
                                               With black-brown snaky coils
                                               With garlanded grinning skulls
                                               Adorning Thy ash-smeared breast                                            
                                               With crystal rosary and Vedas in palms
                                               You shine like fire  with benign charm
                                               Base desires suppressed like devils
                                               Under Thy lotus-feet, Oh Master Still ! 
                                               Seated upright in lotus-pose
                                               With half-shut radiant eyes
                                               Ensconced in yogic guise
                                               Accept our hymns, oh Master Wise!

                                                                      (  II  )

                                               Pranams to Thee
                                               Lord of the south!
                                               Before whom gods of Heaven
                                               Bow with reverence due ;
                                               And through silence view
                                               To learn the lessons of the soul
                                               And ancient Vedic lore
                                               Through fixed mental gaze
                                              'bove the grip of sensual glee
                                               In divine communion with Thee :
                                               In tranquil, sage forests green
                                               In icy caves of Lord Himavanth
                                               Where Vedic chants are heard
                                               As the Ganges gurgles through rocks ;
                                               The oldest sages sat with rapt attention
                                               Before the youthful Master divine 
                                               Under the wide-spread banyan tree
                                               Submerged in devotion supreme;                                          
                                               Hail to Thee, Mighty majestic master of truth !
                                               Pranams to Thee ! God of Mercy and Ruth .  

                                                      *************************************

                                               Note : Ensconced =    Sit comfortably
                                                             Ruth            =Compassion
                                               
                                                                      



                       

Monday, February 13, 2017

THE TENDER MUSE



Toru Dutt (1856--1877)
                       

                   
                                                   
                            When I beheld thy pretty gems of verse

                        I lived in gorgeous legends of past;

                        I caught that pulse, my soul immerst

                        In lines so few, a panorama vast;

                        When I heard of thy sweet memories sad

                        My soul trembled, bemoaned thy loss ;

                        Thy writings with their beauty made me glad

                        Yet made me sigh, thy too soon death, Alas !

                        Like “Sita” and “Our Casuarina Tree”

                        Like “Savitri” and “Uma” you too

                        Survive forever: thy poetry grew

                        From glory to glory with smooth movement free

                  My eyes that touched thy book turned misty and cold

                 We owe you, Tender Muse, immortal realms of gold!

                                 ********************************************

         14th February, 2017                                Somaseshu Gutala

   
Note :
                                       
    "Sita" "Our Casuarina Tree" etc.  are famous poems found in 

Toru Dutt's collection " Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan" 

published in 1882 with introduction by the famous critic, Edmund 

Gosse.